New app helps track RPS bus routes

(ABC 6 News) – A new app introduced at Rochester Public Schools is helping put parents minds at ease when it comes your kids getting off the bus.

Rochester Public Schools recently released an app called FirstView to help with tracking bus routes during the afternoons after school.

“We’ve had requests for years from parents to make sure we have a bus tracking app,” Chief Administrative Officer of RPS John Carlson said.

It is a different version from the one which RPS released previously.

Rather than assigning students a number to track, the new app will allow you to follow specific bus routes instead.

Carlson finds this version easier to read and run. “It is a much simpler way to set up and track the buses.”

Any parent who has an email registered with the school should have received an email last Friday with a four-digit code, containing the code to activate your FirstView account should you choose to download it.

So far, the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, as the stress from parents is down and schools are expecting to see much fewer calls regarding children or teenagers who missed the bus.

This is especially important this time of year. Carlson knows the weather can play a difference too. “In Minnesota weather, temperatures can be extreme. So, it gives more precise arrival time to bus stops.”

With many more people expected to download the app, that trend should continue.

RPS is considering adding some sort of scanning feature to scan in and scan out of riding the bus.

For now, though, they want to focus on getting the app out there more and making sure everyone is aware of it.